Hackett Confronts Some Difficulties

Coach Paul Hackett has increasingly allowed offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to call the plays this season, but he isn’t about to give up his headset.

However, Hackett was without a headset at times Saturday against Oregon State because of equipment problems.

“First time in 30 years, and I’ll never do it again. It was very hard for me,” said Hackett, who has grown comfortable with Jackson’s decision-making but still maintains veto power after calling the plays for most of his career as an assistant, and as head coach at Pittsburgh and last season at USC.

Hackett was frustrated by the equipment failure, as well as by malfunctions with the game clock that resulted in time being kept on the field for part of the game.

“We know ahead of time when we play, right?”

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After averaging fewer than 34 yards a punt against Oregon State, punter Mike MacGillivray faces competition from David Bell. “Mike just has to perform,” Hackett said. “He didn’t. He needs to respond.” . . . Receiver Windrell Hayes will probably return Saturday after missing two weeks because of a sprained ankle but has not yet taken part in a regular practice. . . . Linebacker Zeke Moreno, the Trojans’ leading tackler, skipped practice because of a sore knee but said he expects to return today. . . . Tailback Chad Morton, wary of temperatures expected to reach 98 degrees during Saturday afternoon’s game at Tucson, already was carrying a water bottle around Tuesday in hopes of avoiding dehydration. “I think it will pay off late in the fourth quarter when we’re starting to melt,” he said.